I recently saw a video on social media highlighting a church holding a Star Wars and The Gospel event, not for children’s ministry but as a six-part sermon series given by the pastor. The video caught my attention and curiosity of just how this church could link Darth Vader to Matthew, Mark, Luke and John–and assuredly I wasn’t disappointed. Church service was kicked off by ten stormtroopers on stage performing a dance number to a Taylor Swift song. I tapped the screen again just to make sure it was a church. Tapping into the church’s social media page, it looked to me like Star Wars was just one planned worship service. Other weekends included (for adult service) Pokemon, Game of Thrones, The Office, and Marvel. Each video I viewed brought a deeper feeling of dread that the Christian climate in the world today is polluted with such churches looking to cater to society in hopes attendance numbers will increase.
The performances I watched are nothing new. The number of churches resorting to gimmicks instead of sound biblical teaching has increased over the past 25 years. Many church leaders have subscribed to the lie that the church needs to be “relevant” in order to survive. In the church bubble (those who work in church ministry) pastors who fail to focus on the spiritual development of their congregants have no choice but to resort to worldly standards to measure their church’s success. If church A has 1100 members and church B desires the attendance numbers church A has, church B will take any measure necessary to attract more people. I worked on a church staff once that considered playing secular music during service (Lynyrd Skynyrd, Bruno Mars, U2) as an attempt to connect with those who were not normally church going. That was the tipping point for me and resigned. The experience only increased my desire to advocate for discipleship in our church’s today. Many churches, like the one I highlighted, are bankrupt of what Jesus has provided us in order to grow and sustain a body of believers–generational discipleship.
We hear the word discipleship, but what is it and what it does it consist of? The word disciple isn’t exclusively linked to church but to any form of mentorship or teaching that educates and enriches another individual. In the Chirstian church, this means a mature Christian taking time to explain and guide a new believer by spending time with them along introducing them to groups, resources etc. that will help them grow in Christ. To disciple can be a one-on-one experience or a church-wide experience. It takes energy and effort and unfortunately this is why so many churches have fallen away from it. Discipleship is developing one person at a time while gimmicks attract and entertain, but those who are entertained will eventually become bored and leave if they are not spiritually invested. The average number a family will attend church has decreased in the past 20 years from one to two weekends per month. When spiritual development is not present, families will prioritize a number of other activities over worship.
What does a church that values discipleship look like? There are some consistent traits and activities that exist in those who invest in their church members:
1) Welcoming Environment: When you walk into a church, members should greet you and welcome you (not just the door greeters). If warmly welcoming someone is not a part of the culture, most likely spiritual discipleship is not either.
2) Discipleship Classes: Bible Studies and Small Groups are great for learning and creating community but even though some churches classify them as an element of the discipleship process, they are not. Discipleship concentrates on teaching about the faith, principles of the faith and instruction on how to grow in the faith. Studies and small groups are great to attend but don’t accept them as a substitute.
3) Personal Time: Discipleship is about time and attention. It’s the ability to reach out to someone who has been in the faith for a long time who is happy to meet with you and help you along the way. It can be someone who models for you how a believer appears, acts and lives. It’s not about being a carbon copy of someone else as it’s a demonstration of what it looks like to live in the spirit.
4) Pastor Focus: As stated before a pastor has to make discipleship the highest priority for their flock. When speaking with a pastor and asking about discipleship, the pastor should know what the church’s discipleship path is. If they begin to mention ways to connect with one another instead of learning and developing, it’s a good sign the church (not to be critical) is absent of a discipleship program.
These are not traits that are set in stone but only what I have experienced when deciphering between a spiritually healthy church and a spiritually empty one. The good news that you have the ability to learn about the faith on your own as well. Many authors have developed materials and studies to assist a new believer in their walk. Below are a few resources I recommend.
New In Christ: A Simple Guide for New Christians by Scott Roberts. A great book that simply explains the first steps of a Christian such as learning about prayer, reading God’s Word and baptism.
How to Pray and Read the Bible: A Guide for New Believers by Lee Ann Rubsam. A very short (40 pages) and inexpensive book that provides information for new believers about two of the most important aspects of walking with The Lord.
New Believer’s Bible with Greg Laurie. The Bible is CONFUSING at first. Two testaments with many terms and stories that can be daunting to grasp. Greag Laurie who is a pastor of Harvest Church in California was not raised in the church. Instead he came to Jesus in his later teens (Check out the movie Jesus Revolution to watch his story). The Living Bible is a translation of the scriptures that is easy to understand. Along with Laurie’s inserted teaching, it’s great as a way to get familiar with The Bible.
Growing In Christ: A 13-Week Course for New and Growing Christians. Easy to understand the promises of Jesus Christ along with answers to questions every believer has. I have worked with many new believers through this study, and I enjoy it each time. It’s only 80 pages but provides you a way to learn and engage your new Christian life.
The Christian walk is not easy and new believers often become frustrated with things they do not understand (bible text, terminology etc.) but try not to become stressed. Learning comes day by day. The walk is much more important than knowledge and is desired most by God. I hope this post provides you some assistance in beginning the greatest journey you could ever encounter.
